routine and unique repairs
repair specialists
REGULAR INSTRUMENT MAINTENCE
There will always be someone on hand to discuss your needs. Reach out for a consultation if you have specific questions.
Bench Rate Services or repairs which do not have a fixed rate will be billed at the bench rate of $78 per hour ($1.30 per minute) with a minimum charge of $15.
Fixed Rates
Most common services and repairs have a fixed rate listed in the sections below. Some repairs or services can present unexpected complications and may require additional labour charges beyond the fixed rate, in these cases you will be contacted with a revised estimate.
fixed rate repairs
Maintenance
Restrings:
| Steel String Guitar or Bass | $20 |
| 12-String Guitar | $20 |
| Locking-Tremolo Guitar | $30 |
| Classical Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo | $30 |
| Ukulele | $15 |
Setups:
| Guitar or Bass (Electric or Acoustic) | $75 and up |
| neck removal for truss-rod adj. | add $10 |
| Non-locking tremolo bridge | add $10 |
| Locking tremolo bridge | add $25 |
| Resonator Guitar | $95 and up |
| Lap Steel Guitar | $55 and up |
| Mandolin | $75 and up |
| Ukulele | $55 and up |
| Banjo | $80 |
| Tune Banjo head | add $30 |
Includes: restring, tighten and lubricate all hardware, clean and test electronics, replace battery if needed (Battery not included), adjust or rehang loose wiring, clean and condition fingerboard, fret polish to remove minor scratches, pits and corrosion, cleaning of entire guitar, adjust trussrod to correct neck relief, adjust saddle radius to match fingerboard, adjust action at bridge, file nut slots for proper string movement, adjust intonation, adjust tremolo bridge setting to player’s preference, add/remove trem-springs as needed (parts not included), adjust pickup balance, full inspection and play test.
Fretwork
Fret leveling and refret work require a setup; refrets include leveling of the fingerboard.
All prices are for non-cosmetic repairs. Cosmetic repair options may be available for an additional charge; ask the technician for an estimate.
| Fret edge dress | $50 |
| Full fret level | $150 |
| Full refret – unbound neck | $380 + Setup |
| Full refret – bound neck | $440 + Setup |
| Partial fret level | $10 per fret + Setup |
| Partial refret – unbound neck | $25 per fret + Setup |
| Partial refret – bound neck | $30 per fret + Setup |
| Partial refret – bound neck | $5 per fret + Setup |
Nut Replacement
A setup is required to ensure proper fit and performance. Prices do not include finish touch-up.
Lacquered-over nuts will be replaced as carefully as possible to leave a clean result.
Cosmetic repair options may be available for an additional charge; ask the technician for an estimate.
| Premade | Guitar Made | |
| 6-String guitar | $40 + setup | $90 + setup |
| 4-String bass | $35 + setup | $90 + setup |
| 12-String guitar | $55 + setup | $120 + setup |
| Mandolin | $50 + setup | $120 + setup |
| Banjo or ukulele | $35 + setup | $90 + setup |
| Locking nut | $35 + setup | N/A |
| Additional String | Add $15 |
$90 + setup 120 + setup $35 + setup $90 + setup $35 + setup N/A Additional string Add $15
Bridge & Saddle Replacement
Electric Guitar
Saddle or bridge replacement requires a setup with new strings. Note that most Gibson style Tune-o-matic saddles and bridges do not come with a string notch and will be subject to the additional charge. Prices are for direct replacement only and do not include routing, drilling or replacement of anchors; ask the technician for an estimate on such services. Saddle or bridge replacement requires a setup with new strings. Note that most Gibson style Tune-o-matic saddles and bridges do not come with a string notch and will be subject to the additional charge. Prices are for direct replacement only and do not include routing, drilling or replacement of anchors; ask the technician for an estimate on such services.
| Saddles (Guitar or bass) | $5 per saddle + Setup |
| Tune-o-matic bridge (Gibson style) | $15 + Setup |
| Notch Tune-o-matic Saddle | Add $5 per saddle |
| Surface-mount bridge (Most basses & hardtail guitars) | $30 + Setup |
| Telecaster bridge | $40 + Setup |
| Synchronized tremolo bridge (2-point mounting) | $30 + Setup |
| Vintage-style tremolo bridge (6-screw mounting) | $35 + Setup |
| Locking-tremolo bridge (Floyd-Rose style) | $45 + Setup |
| Floating Bridge (Archtop) Sanded to match top contour | $65 + Setup |
Acoustic Instruments
A setup is required for saddle replacement.
Premade saddles must be hand fit and adjusted to perform properly, custom saddles are hand-made from a blank.
| Acoustic Guitar premade saddle | $20 + Setup |
| Acoustic Guitar Custom made saddle with compensation | $60 + Setup |
| Ukulele premade Saddle | $15 + Setup |
| Ukulele Custom made Saddle | $30 + Setup |
| Banjo Bridge | $25 + Setup |
| Mandolin, sanded to match top contour | $65 + Setup* |
*For acoustic guitar bridge replacement, see Structural Repairs
Electronic Repairs and Replacement
Electronic repairs are subject to the minimum charge of $15, and otherwise billed at the bench rate of $65 per hour. ($1.30 per minute).
- Electronic repairs minimum charge $15.00 and up
- Shield control cavity $65.00
Electronic Component Replacement
All electronic component replacements are subject to the base price of $20 plus the charge for the specific component. The base price is one-time-only; if multiple components are being replaced, the base price is only charged once. Archtop guitars without easy access to the control cavity must have the entire control harness removed through the f-hole, these situations are subject to an extra charge of $35.
| Base Price | $20 |
| Archtop guitar without electronics access | Add $35 |
| Requires new mounting hole in plastic pickguard | Add $10 |
| Requires new mounting hole in solid body | Add $15 |
| Output jack | Add $15 |
| Control pot | Add $15 |
| Pickup selector switch (Gibson style) | Add $20 |
| Pickup selector switch (Fender style) | Add $30 |
| Fender Super Switch | Add $50 |
| Mini-switch | Add $20 |
| Push-pull pot | Add $35 |
| Kill Switch | Add $10 |
| 9v battery clip | Add $10 Battery box |
| Battery box (Direct replacement, soldering included) | Add $15 |
Pick Up Installation
Electric Guitar & Bass
Prices are for direct replacement pickups and do not include routing or modification of the body.
| One pickup | $55 |
| Two pickups | $85 |
| Three pickups | $100 |
| Archtop guitar without electronics access panel | Add $35 |
| 4-conductor pickup with switching (mini-switch or push/pull pot) | Add $15 |
| Telecaster bridge pickup | Add $20 or restring |
| Roland MIDI pickup, removable screw-in style | $65.00 |
Active Pickups (EMG)
Switching from passive to active pickups requires installation of control pots, output jack and a battery. If no battery is provided, a Duracell battery will be added to the bill. Prices do not include routing or modification of the body. Newer pickups feature a solderless quick connect system, this can be bypassed for a traditional soldered connection if desired. (Please specify)
| Quick Connect | Soldered | |
| Telecaster style (2 pickups, 2 pots, one jack, one battery) | $75 | $130.00 |
| Stratocaster style (3 pickup, three pots, one jack, one battery) | $95 | $145.00 |
| Les Paul style (Two pickups, four pots, one jack, one battery) | $95 | $145.00 |
Acoustic Instruments
Installing an undersaddle pickup will raise the action of the instrument slightly; prices include lowering the saddle to compensate for this unless otherwise requested.
| Install new undersaddle or contact pickup with endpin jack | $75 |
| Install new soundhole pickup with endpin jack | $55 |
| Install floating bridge pickup for mandolin or archtop guitar | $65 |
| Install banjo pickup with flange-mounted output jack | $65 |
Pickguards
Prices are for pre-made pickguards not requiring modification or drilling. Custom pickguards may be available, ask the technician for a quote.
| Install Stratocaster style pickguard | $50 |
| Install floating pickguard (Les Paul, archtop, mandolin etc,) | $10 |
| Requires drilling of new mounting screw holes | $10 |
| Install new self-stick acoustic pickguard or tap plates | $20 |
Tuners
Single tuner replacement
Includes replacement of single string (string not included). Prices are for direct replacement and do not include reaming or shimming.
|
Geared tuner replacement |
$10 |
|
Friction tuner replacement |
$15 |
|
Banjo 5th string tuner |
$25 |
Complete Tuner Set Replacement
Doweling does not include finish repair; cosmetic-repair options may be available for an additional charge; ask the technician for an estimate. Restringing or setup is required for replacement. Strings can be re-used if desired, but the price for a restring will still be added.
|
Classical guitar |
$15 + restring or setup |
|
Guitar or bass (Steel string) |
$25+ restring or setup |
|
12-String guitar (Steel string) |
$40+ restring or setup |
|
Friction tuners (banjo or ukulele) |
$45+ restring or setup |
|
Requires reaming |
Add $20 |
|
Requires doweling of old set-screw holes |
Add $20 |
|
Requires drilling of new set-screw holes |
Add $20 |
|
Requires new guide pin hole (Sperzel or Schaller style) |
Add $30 |
Misc Installs & Services
|
Install new strap button or strap lock |
$6 each |
|
Dowel and re-drill loose strap button |
$15 each |
|
Humidity treatment |
$30 +setup |
|
Install new banjo head (includes setup) |
$140 |
|
Install banjo “railroad spike” capo |
$15 each |
|
Block tremolo bridge (front only) |
$40 |
|
Block tremolo bridge (front & back) |
$60 |
|
Install Bigsby Tremolo (Les Paul, Archtop or Thinline) |
$40 + Restring or Setup |
Structural Repairs
All structural repairs are billed at the bench rate of $78 per hour ($1.30 per minute). The minimum approvals listed represent the typical cost of a non-cosmetic repair in a best-case scenario repair. These prices are not a firm quote and may be revised by the technician, the customer will be contacted if the cost will exceed the minimum approval.
|
Broken Headstock |
Minor: Partially Attached, easy alignment |
MINIMUM APPROVAL $90 + Setup |
| Major: Fully Detached | $180 + Setup | |
| Brace Repair | Minor: Loose or cracked brace | $60 |
| Major: Fully detached or loose in multiple areas | $90 | |
| Crack Repair | Minor: Closed crack, easy alignment | $60 |
| Major: Open crack requiring humidity or splint | $180 | |
| Bridge Repair Lifting | bridge removal and reglue | $180 + setup |
| Lifting bridge removal and reglue with undersaddle pickup | $225 + Setup | |
| Neck Reset (Traditional) | Bolt on heel with glued fingerboard extension | $360 + setup |
| Dovetail | $540 + setup | |
| Neck reset (Taylor NT) | Taylor Neck reset, includes shim exchange | $75 + setup |
Written Appraisals
If you need an appraisal, bring your instrument in.
However, if you want guidance on what to ask for a guitar you want to sell, please plan to come and use our referral books free of charge.
Please don’t call to ask
what your guitar is worth.
The acoustic market is hugely diverse, covering many tastes and styles,
but the standards for the a fine instrument are the same regardless
of what style of music you play.
Guitar Tex offers a great selection at great prices.
HOW TO
care for YOUR INVESTMENT
A properly maintained guitar–really any fine wood stringed instrument–should last for generations.
Many problems and much heartache can be avoided with some simple precautions.
01
MONITOR HUMIDITY
You’re not taking proper care of your instrument if you don’t keep it adequately humidified. It may sound strange but if you take the time to read the “care and feeding” pamphlet included with most new guitars (yes, even solid body electric guitars), you’ll note that it is strongly advised that you maintain a humidity level where your guitar is stored (the case?) at between 45%-55% humidity.
- Thanks to the prolonged drought in Texas, low humidity, cold weather and indoor heat, we’re seeing more guitars with humidity related cracks, fret ends poking out from dried out fingerboards, and other humidity related problems than ever before.
- These problems can easily be avoided by keeping your guitar in the case with a case humidifier.
- Humidifiers are inexpensive and very effective; you can even make your own with very little effort. I learned at the Martin Guitar Repair Seminar that they will not consider center seam cracks a warranty repair unless the guitar was humidified.
02
KEep it clean
Seems obvious enough like washing your car, but we see lots of folks with nice instruments who never take the time to periodically clean off the sweat, spittle, and effluvia from their guitar.
- If it’s an electric guitar, take special care around the pickups and hardware to prevent gunk buildup.
- Occasionally the fingerboard should be oiled and cleaned.
- Clean the sweat stains on the top of the guitar where your arm crosses the instrument. It gets especially bad looking with dark-colored and sunburst instruments.
- A bottle of guitar polish is an inexpensive investment and will go a long way in maintaining the finish and luster of your guitar.
- If you’re thinking of selling your guitar, clean it first in order to expect top dollar.
humidifer upsell here – insert product
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FIND US
Fine acoustic guitars, fretted instruments, and repairs.
Guitar Tex will help you find the perfect guitar, and can repair the guitar you love. We want to get to know you and will spend the time to help you select the instrument that will make you happy.
Guitar Tex
4330 McCullough
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210)822-1595
www.GuitarTex.com
info@guitartex.com
We are easy to reach from both the San Antonio International Airport and from Downtown.
From Downtown
We are at 4330 McCullough, and McCullough goes all the way downtown. In the old days, it was one of the few routes out of down town that didn’t cross railroad tracks. (A big deal when you have a wagon – I’ve heard. Never experienced it.) The maps and driving directions will help alot. Easy to know when you’re getting close because we’re just past the traffic circle/fountain.